Acadia Parish Arrest Records

Arrests occur in Acadia Parish whenever a law enforcement officer has probable cause or evidence to believe that a penal code violation has occurred. The belief can be based on proof submitted by the arresting officer who witnessed the crime firsthand or supported by credible evidence or witness statements upon further investigation.

When a person is apprehended, they are typically taken to the Acadia Parish Jail (which is operated by the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office) for booking before initial arraignment. Booking involves documenting the arrestee's physical descriptors, biodata, mugshots, and other pertinent information.

Law enforcement agencies in Acadia Parish are responsible for creating, maintaining, and disseminating records of arrests. These records are publicly accessible, and members of the public can make oral or written requests for them. However, such records cannot reveal the final outcome of an arrest. Persons tracking the progress of an arrest that led to a court case may request access to Acadia Parish court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Acadia Parish?

Yes. The La. R.S. 44:31 (Louisiana's Public Records Law) governs public access to records generated during an arrest in Acadia Parish. Nevertheless, certain exceptions may apply under RS 44:3.

For example, records of an arrest filed in an ongoing legal proceeding are confidential until a final judgment of conviction or acceptance of a plea deal offered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Similarly, sensitive records that may divulge the identity of a confidential source, undercover police officer, or minor suspect are not open to the public. Finally, video or audio recordings generated by law enforcement officers' body-worn cameras that may violate a person's reasonable right to privacy are not released.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Acadia Parish contain several publicly disclosable information. These include an arrested person's data, including their full name, date of birth, physical descriptors, height, weight, hair color, eye color, race/ethnicity, gender, and last known address before the arrest.

In addition, one may find the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the arrest date and time, the arrest location, the arresting agency (which could either be a police department or sheriff's office), and the arresting officer's name and badge number. Arrest records also detail the charges against the arrestee, including whether the crime is a felony or misdemeanor, the statutory citation, and the description of the offense.

Other information in an arrest record includes the suspect's booking number, mugshot, bail/bond information, and release details, such as whether the arrestee is in custody, has posted bail, or has been transferred to a different facility.

Acadia Parish Arrest Statistics

At the moment, the Louisiana Statistical Analysis Center (LSAC), which compiles statewide crime and arrest statistics reports, does not provide any known online resources for Acadia Parish arrest statistics. In this case, requesters may approach the local law enforcement agencies within their locality for inquiries or access the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Data Explorer.

Find Acadia Parish Arrest Records

The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office is the first point of contact for anyone specifically requesting records of arrests carried out within the region. The sheriff's Jail Population portal is a repository for finding inmates awaiting trial or serving a short sentence at the criminal justice facility. The portal includes inmates arrested by the city police departments, the parish sheriff's office, or the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Typical search results include an arrestee's name, race, sex, age, release date, and mugshot.

Further inquiries regarding a subject presently held in the parish jail may be directed to the sheriff's office at the following address:

Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office
1037 Capitol Avenue
Crowley, LA 70526

One may also query the specific law enforcement department that executed an arrest.

In addition to these local resources, the Louisiana Department of Corrections maintains an online Louisiana DOC inmate locator. Requesters can find information on inmates confined within the state prison facility using a name, ID number, or case number. This utility can also be used to search for inmates under probation or parole (community) supervision.

In addition, one can call (225) 383-4580 to access an incarcerated state prisoner's housing assignment, the address of the facility where the inmate is located, a contact phone number, and a projected release date. Basic search requirements are the subject's name, date of birth, or DPS&C number.

Finally, the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator search is available to find people serving time in a federal prison.

Free Arrest Record Search in Acadia Parish

Government agencies provide repositories where individuals can perform an Acadia Parish arrest record search. These record databases are typically operated at no cost to the general public so long as the requester provides the arrestee's name or other required information. However, some government-owned databases are run by approved third-party vendors, typically requiring users to register or sign in before viewing complete arrest information.

Another option is visiting local law enforcement agencies, such as the City of Rayne Police Department. These police departments may release arrest records or reports in their possession to inquirers free of charge. Some police departments may offer online request forms to access public records easily.

Moreover, some third-party websites allow individuals to perform a basic arrest record search for free. However, they may require a fee to view or obtain detailed reports. It should be noted that these sites are independently run (without government interference). Generally, it is in the user's best interests to confirm any sourced information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests are permanent components of a person's criminal record. However, such records may be expunged or sealed in Acadia Parish, provided the subjects meet Louisiana's specific requirements. It must be stated that an arrest does not automatically mean that a person is guilty of the alleged offense.

Expunge Acadia Parish Arrest Records

An expungement is an official procedure where eligible persons may file a motion in court to remove or seal their arrest information from public access. If this petition is approved, the subject of the record may continue living without the burden of criminal incidents inhibiting future opportunities.

A motion to expunge an arrest record that never resulted in a conviction must fulfill the following conditions under Art. 976:

• The person was never prosecuted for the offense after an arrest, and the prosecution is barred from further charging the offender.
• The district attorney declined to prosecute the offender for any reason, including because the arrestee had completed a pretrial diversion program.
• The prosecution was instituted but later dismissed because the court dismissed the case, sustained a motion to quash, or acquitted the defendant.
• The offender was found to be factually innocent and entitled to compensation for a wrongful conviction per R.S. 15:572.8. Eligible persons may petition the court to expunge the arrest and conviction that formed grounds for wrongful conviction without any limitations or delay.

On the other hand, arrests that result in a conviction often require intricate legal procedures and have waiting periods for filing. One's eligibility hinges on several criteria, including the seriousness of the offense, as stated in the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure (CCRP), Title XXXIV (Articles 971 through 998).

For example, a motion to expunge a record of arrest and conviction of a misdemeanor/felony offense may be considered if:

• The conviction was set aside.
• The prosecution was dismissed.
• More than five to ten years have passed since the petitioner completed any sentence, deferred adjudication, or fulfilled the terms of probation or parole.
• The subject has not been arrested or convicted of any felony offense during the period and has no pending felony charges.

However, certain criminal offenses are not admissible for expungement, including violent crimes, carnal knowledge of a juvenile, sexual offense against a minor, and possession of controlled substances, as detailed in Art. 978.

Eligible applicants may approach the court clerk where the case was adjudicated to obtain expungement application forms and submit necessary documents and information, including the district attorney's certifications, court dispositions, and a Certification for Fee Waiver Form (if applicable). The fee for expunging arrest records in Acadia Parish is $250, but people facing financial constraints can request a waiver provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Acadia Parish Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a written directive that authorizes law enforcement officers to apprehend and detain someone believed to have violated the law. In Acadia Parish, such orders are typically issued by a magistrate or judge, provided probable cause exists to justify the arrest.

Most importantly, the warrant must contain the name of the person to be arrested, a description of the committed offense, a statement of probable cause to support the warrant's issue, and the name and signature of the issuing judge.

Do Acadia Parish Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Acadia Parish. They remain valid until they are executed or recalled by the issuing court.